A Robot Scientist is a physically implemented robotic system that applies techniques from artificial intelligence to execute cycles of automated scientific experimentation. A Robot Scientist can automatically execute cycles of: hypothesis formation, selection of efficient experiments to discriminate between hypotheses, execution of experiments using laboratory automation equipment, and analysis of results. We have developed the Robot Scientist âAdamâ to investigate yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) functional genomics. Adam has autonomously identified genes encoding locally âorphanâ enzymes in yeast. This is the first time a machine has discovered novel scientific knowledge. To describe Adam's research we have developed an ontology and logical language. Use of these produced a formal argument involving over 10,000 different research units that relates Adam's 6.6 million biomass measurements to its conclusions. We are now developing the Robot Scientist âEveâ to automate drug screening and QSAR development.

Short Bio:

Professor of Computer Science at Aberystwyth University, Wales, UK.
Research named as 4th most significant scientific advance of 2009 by Time magazine.
PhD in Computer Science at the Turing Institute (UK), Undergraduate was in Microbiology.
Have worked in the UK, the US, and Germany in Statistics Depts., Biology labs, and start-up companies.